• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Regional Peace and Order Council-Negros Island Region (RPOC-NIR) is pushing for the institutionalization of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Safer School Program across the Negros Island Region as part of the efforts to strengthen security and protect students and school communities.
The measure was among the key resolutions approved during the RPOC-NIR’s Third Quarter Meeting held Sept. 25 at the New Government Center in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental.
The RPOC-NIR recommended establishing screening areas in schools equipped with appropriate metal detection devices, with the active support of the Philippine National Police and barangay tanods.
The initiative seeks to strengthen preventive security measures in schools and establish a coordinated system involving local governments, law enforcement agencies and communities, in the wake of shooting incidents inside school premises, with students either as gunmen or victims.
The council meeting, which was presided by RPOC-NIR chairperson, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, also approved a resolution urging barangay officials to take a leading role in the campaign for the surrender of loose firearms, reinforcing community-level efforts to prevent firearm-related incidents.
Other measures approved included support for the Negros Island Region Mind Resilience Program and the adoption of the Negros Occidental Peace Caravan as an RPOC-NIR regional initiative.
The peace caravan will provide an expanded platform for peacebuilding, community engagement and coordinated peace and order interventions throughout the island.
The council also recognized the efforts of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Negros Island Region for its performance as one of the best fire stations.
Lacson also presented a certificate of appreciation and a token to Tanjay City Mayor Jose Orlino for the city’s hosting of the quarterly RPOC-NIR meeting. | GPB
